With the coming of new owners and a new coach came the return of the Booster Club's Player Adoption Program. With a primarily new group of players, everything was as if it were starting over from the very beginning. Once families and players were matched and introduced, though, things fell right back into place as if the program had been with us all along.
Coming from Olds, Alberta, with a quirky smile and spiked hair was our latest adoptee, last season's ECHL Rookie of the Year Jason Jaffray. I had spoken to Jason several times during training camp to pass along messages from his former fans and my friends from Roanoke, Becky and Robin. Jason was very outgoing and easy to talk to, and we all seemed to bond right away. Jason is one of those that can talk the leg off a table. His nonstop joking always keeps us laughing. Of course, Holly the dog loved him, but Punkie was unimpressed. She would check him out, but acted as if "oh, it's you," and go back to bed. Jason was always comfortable sitting and gabbing at the kitchen table, and he particularly enjoyed going to our "secret" spaghetti restaurant. As with JF Boutin, I bore most of the brunt of his teasing, but I was able to dish it out right along with him. There was never a dull moment when Jason was in your presence.

We got the opportunity to meet Jason's parents when they came to town, and they were as much fun as Jason. Both are intense during the games, but crazy as loons once the game is over. I picked them up at the Pittsburgh airport when they came to visit. The visit didn't start out very well as Jason's mom's luggage was lost and we were in a minor accident on the way back to Wheeling. These two still kept smiling and laughing through it all, so I knew that this was going to be an experience I wouldn't forget, and I haven't.

Next, I got to meet Jason's girlfriend and then his sister. Two nicer girls you will never find. Jason has certainly been blessed in his life with all of those that he holds near and dear. They are fantastic people, not to mention loads of fun.

Jason had another outstanding year, being named to the All-Star team as our team's representative to the game. He was also called up to play in Wilkes-Barre two times during the season, but that's another story...

The Nailers went further this year than was expected and finally made the post season for the first time since 1998. Although they lost in the first round, the fans were beside themselves with pride. Jason was a major factor in the team's success along with his "J-Line" teammates. Unfortunately, injury caused by the wreckless play of another team's captain caused Jason problems at the end. Jason received a concussion due to a nasty hit, and he had an injured ankle that this same player keyed in on during the playoffs. We were disappointed not to have gone farther in the playoffs, but were proud to have done as well as we did.

We are unsure as to what Jason's plans are for the upcoming season, as he is receiving many offers, and rightly so! We would love to see him back for a second season with the Nailers. If he doesn't return, I will follow his career like that of all our other adoptees, and I will travel as much as I can to get in visits with this one-of-a-kind guy. Jason will always be a very special part of our family, right up there with JF, and I hope to always be in touch with him and his family. He is one in a million, and you don't run across those kind in your life too often. Again, we were blessed with another fabulous player as part of our ever-growing family. I am still in contact with his parents. I hope to get to see his sister play hockey this season with her college team. I'm sure our friendship will be one that endures for years to come.

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2004-2005 Update: Jason has returned to the Nailers for a second year. Although it has gotten off to a slower than usual start, I'm sure Jason will kick in his strengths soon and start showing the ECHL that he is going to go places in hockey. He is, once again, our adopted player and we are enjoying the time we get to spend with him. It won't be long before Jason is on to bigger and better things, so we are going to enjoy him while he's around.

Our time with Jason was short-lived, unfortunately for us. Right before the Booster Christmas party, Jason was called up to the Cleveland Barons of the AHL and was never to return to the Nailers. We were all very excited for him, though we would miss him. We made several trips to Cleveland to see him play and visit with him, so it wasn't quite so bad.

Then came the day that I got a phone call from Jason's mom telling me he was on his way back to Wheeling to pick up his things that he had left behind, and that he was very upset. It seems someone in the Cleveland organization neglected to renew Jason's visa. By the time the oversight was found, it was too late. The U.S. only allots so many visas in a year, and Jason was sadly out of luck. In true Jaffray style, Jason received a call and was picked up by the Manitoba Moose. He left Wheeling (and us) with a heavy heart, but made it to join the team in Ontario and play with them. He signed a 25-game Professional Tryout contract and finished out the year with the Moose. At least Jason was still in the AHL and that was a great accomplishment for him. We hated to see him go, but know that he is on his way to a very bright future.

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2005-2006 Update: Jason married his long-time girlfriend Michelle this summer and is now settling in to the married life. Although we couldn't go to the wedding, we are looking forward to seeing photos and sharing the experience that way. We wish him and Michelle and long and happy life together.

Jason signed a contract with the Manitoba Moose for the 2005-2006 season. We are very pleased to see him stick in the AHL. Even though he is far from here, we are already planning our road trips to Cleveland to see him play. The Moose are lucky to have him, and I expect to see Jason put up some good numbers this year and move on to "The Show." It has been our privilege to know him and become friends with him and Michelle, and I hope that is another relationship that will continue for many years to come. Good luck, Jaffs!